Welcome to the Worldwide Greathead family my One-Name Study

The information in this website covers all occurrences of the surname GREATHEAD worldwide, as opposed to a particular pedigree. It also contains the variants GREATHED, GREATED, GRATEHEAD, GREATHEED and GREETHEAD. One day maybe I will discover that we are all related

Eleanor... was born about 1774 in Jamaica, West Indies, Eleanor was born a British Subject.1 She married ...Greathead.1 Her husband ... died on before 1841.1 In the census of 6 June 1841 in Quadrant, Westminster, London, England, she was listed as the lodger Eleanor and Jane were living together and the next household to Robert Clavering aged 40 and a hosier. I am assuming they were lodging there.2 In the census of 30 March 1851 at 19 Charles Street, Chelsea, London, England, she was listed as a lodger with Ellen Ann Clavering an unmarried lady aged 20 who was born as a British subject in Jamaica and was listed as a lodging house keeper. It would appear that Jane, I assume Eleanor's daughter was also lodging in the house. Eleanor is working as a seemstress.3 Eleanor died on 9 January 1856 in 14 Hatton Street, Chelsea, London, England, from decay of nature. Maria Clifford made her mark when registering the death of Eleanor and described her as an almswoman. Maria gave her address as 8 Fords Folk of Battersea.4

Sources of Information

[S4] Jan's thoughts based on information from census enumeration sheets.

[S40029] The Genealogist websiteRegister of Births belonging to the Monthly Meeting of Manchester, Lancashire from 1797 to 1836 RG6 Piece 1532 Folio 172 and Register of Births for the Quarterly Meeting of Lancashire from 1828 to 1833 RG6 Piece 1041 Folio 202 and Register of Births for the Monthly Meeting of Hardshaw East, Lancashire from 1816 to 1837 RG6 Piece 250 Folio 0.

Matthew Greathead

MatthewGreathead was born on 23 April 1770 in High Coniscliffe, Darlington, Durham, England.1 His baptismal register runs: "Matthew son of John Greathead was baptised on the 24th day of April 1770".2,1,3,4 He was the son of JohnGreathead and AnnTurner.5 Matthew entered the Lennox Masonic Lodge No 165 (later No 123) at Richmond, Yorkshire on 27 December 1797. The Lodge was founded on 4 May 1763. His membership ceased at some time prior to 1813 but rejoined on 27 December 1831. His membership lapsed shortly thereafter and he rejoined again in December 1843. His membership finally ceased when he died. He had been Secretary of the Lodge from 1827 to 1829. He was the oldest known member in Freemasonry in the world and dying aged 101 years 8 months. He had been a member for 74 years.6,7 He was a carpenter.5 He married AnnKilburn on 28 March 1802 in Richmond, Yorkshire, England.5,8 Matthew was listed as the head of the family on the census of 6 June 1841 in Market Place, Richmond, Yorkshire, England, Matthew was a carpenter.9 In the census of 30 March 1851 at Frenchgate, Richmond, Yorkshire, England, he was listed as the father of WilliamGreathead Matthew was a carpenter and Apparetor.10 In the census of 7 April 1861 in Frenchgate, Richmond, Yorkshire, England, he was listed as the father of WilliamGreathead Matthew was formerly a cabinet maker, and was now receiving superannuation.11 In the census of 2 April 1871 in Frenchgate, Richmond, Yorkshire, England, he was listed as the father of WilliamGreathead Matthew was a retired carpenter.12 Matthew died on 31 December 1871 in Richmond, Yorkshire, England, aged 101 Matthew was taken ill the previous Thursday. He died in the arm sof his son at 6 o'clock in the morning. He was quite sensible till the end.13,14 He was buried on 5 January 1872 in St Mary the Virgin, Richmond, Yorkshire, England, in the West Section 944.2,15,16 The headstone above the Greathead grave records the lives of Matthew and Ann and three of their children, John, Jane and Isabell.17 The members of Lennox Lodge had a splendid monument column erected near the front entrance of Richmond Parish Church, to the memory of Matthew. The column was twelve feet in height without the base, and was a piece of fine workmanship. It was richly carved broken cap, and on the east side of the pedestal was a white marble tablet, on which was represented various Masonic symbols. It was surrounded by an iron railing, at each corner of which are the emblems of the craft emblazoned in gold, on a blue ground. The inscription on the marble tablet was printed in gold, and was as follows: " To the memory of Matthew Greathead, who was initiated into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry, in the Lennox Lodge, Richmond, December 27th 1797 and continued a zealous and consistent member of the craft until his death, Dec 31st, 1871, at the advanced aged of 101 years and eight months - Aude, Vide, Tace."18,17

[S1718] Emails between Dr David Greathead and Jan Cooper 2 October 1997 (Clarkson, 1821: Appendix XXI. List of burrages in Richmond) living in 1820 at South Row, second house from last on east side of Bargate; owner John Wright. John Mayhall. Annals of Yorkshire from the earliest period to the present time. C.H. Johnson, Leeds. 3vols. See vol 3, p. 446. Died 31 Dec 1871 Matthew Greathead of Richmond aged 102. Born High Conniscliffe near Darlington 23 Apr 1770. Freemason, Lennox Lodge 123 in 1797 and member 75 years. Oldest freemason in England. p. 592. 23 Nov 1873 together with much information from David's wonderful book "A Passage to the Cape of Good Hope" David has since very sadly died.

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